Shower partition assembly

ABSTRACT

A shower partition assembly that includes at least one and preferably at least two innovative hinge mechanisms, a stationary wall and a door pivotally attached thereto by the hinge mechanisms, wherein in the closed state, the door panel is flush with the stationary wall. The substantially parallel gap formed between the stationary wall and the pivoting door is sealed by a sealer, wherein the pivoting door may pivot in both directions, with respect to the stationary wall. When the door is opened in the a first direction towards a first-open-state, the open-end arm pivots about the shaft and the bridge moves towards the wall-vertical edge, until the wall-vertical edge and the sealer mounted thereon, are accommodated inside arm-section gap of a U-shaped of a U-shaped arm-section.

CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application is a continuation in part of PCT applicationPCT/IL2013/05038, filed May 7, 2013, and further claims the benefitunder 35 USC 119(e) from U.S. provisional application 62/037,241, filedon Aug. 14, 2014, the disclosures of which are incorporated by referencefor all purposes as if fully set forth herein.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The invention relates to a fitting for shower partition parts made of aflat material such as, glass, plastic or similar. More particularly, thepresent invention relates to a flat shower partition assembly having aninnovative hinge mechanism, a stationary wall and a door pivotally,wherein the gap between the pivoting door and a stationary partitionglass wall or an ordinary wall is sealed.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION AND PRIOR ART

Bathtubs and showers stalls often include a partition to prevent showerwater from spraying onto the surrounds of the bathtub/stall. Typically,at least a portion of the partition includes a pivoting door.

Often, the partition includes a stationary wall and a door pivotallyattached thereto. In some embodiments there may be more than onestationary wall and more than one door. It would be advantageous for thepivotable door, when closed, to be situated such that the pivotable doorpanel is flush with the adjacent stationary portions of the partition.However, there exist a sealing problem between the stationary wall andthe pivoting door.

In other embodiments the pivoting door is attached to an ordinary wall,wherein the ordinary wall may by any type of wall, including a glasswall, wherein in the closed state the pivotable door panel issubstantially perpendicular to the ordinary wall, and wherein a gap isformed between the pivoting door and the wall. It would be advantageousfor the pivotable door to be generally situated perpendicular to thewall. However, there exist a sealing problem between the wall and thepivoting door.

There is therefore a need for and it would be advantageous to have ashower partition assembly that includes a stationary wall and a doorpivotally attached thereto, wherein the gap between the stationary walland the pivoting door is sealed, and wherein the pivoting door may pivotin both directions, with respect to the stationary wall, typically, upto 90° in each direction.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The principal intentions of the present invention include providing ashower partition assembly that includes an innovative hinge mechanism, astationary wall and a door pivotally attached thereto, wherein thepivotable door panel is flush with the stationary portions of thepartition, and wherein the gap between the stationary wall and thepivoting door is sealed, and wherein the pivoting door may pivot in bothdirections, with respect to the stationary wall, typically, up to 90° ineach direction.

According to the teachings of the present invention, there is provided ashower partition assembly, having at least one stationary wall and atleast one pivotable door, wherein the stationary wall and the pivotabledoor are pivotally interconnected by at least one hinge mechanism,wherein the at least one hinge mechanism includes afirst-section-mechanism having a shaft-hosting member, securely attachedto the at least one stationary wall, and a second-section-mechanism thatincludes a pivoting-enabling-member. The pivoting-enabling-memberincludes a base section, securely attached to the at least one pivotabledoor, and a U-shaped arm-section. The U-shaped arm-section includes abase-arm, an embracing-arm and a bridge, interconnecting the base-armand the embracing-arm, wherein an embracing-arm-gap is formed betweenthe base-arm and the embracing-arm.

The shaft-hosting member and the pivoting-enabling-member are pivotallyconnected by a shaft, disposed proximal to the open end of saidembracing-arm, to thereby facilitate pivotal motion of the at least onepivotable door about the shaft, with respect to the at least onestationary wall, when the at least one pivotable door is pushed orpulled.

When the at least one hinge mechanisms is in a closed-state, awall-vertical edge of the at least one stationary wall is disposedsubstantially parallel to a door-vertical edge of the at least onepivotable door, forming a substantially parallel wall-door-gap, having apreconfigured width.

When the at least one pivotable door is opened in a first direction (37,see FIGS. 3 and 7) towards a first-open-state, the embracing-arm pivotsabout the shaft, and the bridge and embracing-arm move towards thewall-vertical edge, until the wall-vertical edge is accommodated insidethe embracing-arm-gap.

When the at least one pivotable door is opened in the second direction(35, see FIGS. 4 and 6) towards a second-open-state, the embracing-armpivots about the shaft and said bridge and the embracing-arm move awayfrom the wall-vertical edge and towards the shaft-hosting member thatserves as a stopper for the pivoting motion. The embracing-arm-gapfacilitates the opening and closing of the at least one pivotable doorin both directions with respect to the at least one stationary wall.

Preferably, the shower partition assembly further includes a sealer,that in some embodiments, is mounted over the open wall-vertical edge ofthe at least one stationary wall, wherein the sealer is preconfigured toseal the wall-door-gap when the at least one hinge mechanisms is in aclosed-state. Optionally, in some other embodiments, the sealer ismounted over the open door-vertical edge of the at least one pivotabledoor and still is preconfigured to seal the wall-door-gap when the atleast one hinge mechanisms is in a closed-state. Optionally, the sealeris made of elastic materials, wherein the sealer portion extending awayfrom the wall-vertical edge is larger than the width of thewall-door-gap, by a preconfigured amount.

It should be noted that the at least one hinge mechanisms may besecurely attached on either side of a stationary wall that is pairedwith a pivotable door.

In some embodiments of the present invention, thefirst-section-mechanism is securely attached to the pivotable door,while the second-section-mechanism is securely attached to thestationary wall. In variations of such embodiments, the least onestationary wall is an ordinary wall, wherein the ordinary wall may beany type of wall, including a glass wall, wherein in the closed statethe pivotable door panel is substantially perpendicular to the ordinarywall, and wherein the wall-vertical edge is a virtual vertical line thatis most proximal to the door-vertical edge, and wherein, in the closedstate, the pivotable door is substantially perpendicular to the ordinarywall.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The present invention will become fully understood from the detaileddescription given herein below and the accompanying drawings, which aregiven by way of illustration and example only and thus not limitative ofthe present invention, and wherein:

FIG. 1 is top perspective view of a shower partition assembly havinginnovative hinge mechanisms, a stationary wall and a door pivotallyattached thereto, wherein the door panel is flush with the stationaryportions of the partition, and wherein the gap between the stationarywall and the pivotable door is sealed, according to embodiments of thepresent invention, as typically viewed from the outside of the showerstall, wherein the pivotable door is in a closed-state.

FIG. 2 is top perspective view of the shower partition assembly shown inFIG. 1, as typically viewed from the inside of the shower stall.

FIG. 3 is top perspective view of the shower partition assembly shown inFIG. 1, as viewed from a first side of the shower stall, wherein thedoor is opened in a second direction towards a second-open-state.

FIG. 4 is top perspective view of the shower partition assembly shown inFIG. 1, as viewed from a second side of the shower stall, wherein thedoor is opened in a second direction towards a second-open-state.

FIG. 5 a is top perspective view of a hinge mechanism of the showerpartition assembly shown in FIG. 1, as typically viewed from the outsideof the shower stall, wherein the door is in a closed-state.

FIG. 5 b is top perspective view of a hinge mechanism of the showerpartition assembly shown in FIG. 5 a, wherein the sealer has beenremoved for illustrative purposes only.

FIG. 6 is top perspective view of the hinge mechanism of the showerpartition assembly shown in FIG. 1, as typically viewed from the outsideof the shower stall, wherein the door is in a second-open-state.

FIG. 7 is top perspective view of the hinge mechanism of the showerpartition assembly shown in FIG. 1, as typically viewed from the outsideof the shower stall, wherein the door is in a first-open-state.

FIG. 8 is a perspective exploded view of the hinge mechanism of theshower partition assembly shown in FIG. 1, as typically viewed from theoutside of the shower stall.

FIG. 9 is a perspective exploded view of the hinge mechanism of theshower partition assembly shown in FIG. 1, as typically viewed from theinside of the shower stall.

FIG. 10 is top perspective view of a shower partition assembly havinginnovative hinge mechanisms and a door pivotally attached to an ordinarybathroom wall, wherein the door may pivot in both directions withrespect to the bathroom wall, and wherein the gap between the bathroomwall and the pivotable door is sealed, according to embodiments of thepresent invention, wherein the door is pivoted to a first side.

FIG. 11 is top perspective view of the shower partition assembly shownin FIG. 10, wherein the door is pivoted to a second side.

FIG. 12 is top perspective view of the shower partition assembly shownin FIG. 10, as viewed from a first side, wherein the door is in agenerally perpendicular to the bathroom wall.

FIG. 13 is top perspective view of the shower partition assembly shownin FIG. 12, but viewed from a second side.

FIG. 14 a is top perspective view of a hinge mechanism of the showerpartition assembly shown in FIG. 12, wherein the sealer seals the gap isformed between the pivotable door and the bathroom wall.

FIG. 14 b is top perspective view of a hinge mechanism of the showerpartition assembly shown in FIG. 14 a, wherein the sealer has beenremoved for illustrative purposes only.

FIG. 15 a is top perspective view of the hinge mechanism of the showerpartition assembly shown in FIG. 12, as typically viewed from a firstside, the pivotable door being in a closed state.

FIG. 15 b is top perspective view of the hinge mechanism as shown inFIG. 12, viewed from a second side.

FIG. 16 is a perspective exploded view of the hinge mechanism of theshower partition assembly, as shown in FIG. 15 a.

FIG. 17 is a perspective exploded view of the hinge mechanism of theshower partition assembly, as shown in FIG. 15 b.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

Before explaining embodiments of the invention in detail, it is to beunderstood that the invention is not limited in its application to thedetails of construction and the arrangement of the components set forthin the host description or illustrated in the drawings.

An embodiment is an example or implementation of the inventions. Thevarious appearances of “one embodiment,” “an embodiment” or “someembodiments” do not necessarily all refer to the same embodiments.Although various features of the invention may be described in thecontext of a single embodiment, the features may also be providedseparately or in any suitable combination. Conversely, although theinvention may be described herein in the context of separate embodimentsfor clarity, the invention may also be implemented in a singleembodiment.

Reference in the specification to “one embodiment”, “an embodiment”,“some embodiments” or “other embodiments” means that a particularfeature, structure, or characteristic described in connection with theembodiments is included in at least one embodiments, but not necessarilyall embodiments, of the inventions. It is understood that thephraseology and terminology employed herein is not to be construed aslimiting and are for descriptive purpose only.

Meanings of technical and scientific terms used herein are to becommonly understood as to which the invention belongs, unless otherwisedefined. The present invention can be implemented in the testing orpractice with methods and materials equivalent or similar to thosedescribed herein.

Reference is now made to the drawings. FIG. 1 is top perspective view ofa shower partition assembly 101 having innovative hinge mechanisms 100,a stationary wall 20 and a pivotable door 30 pivotally attached thereto,wherein when pivotable door 30 is in a closed-state and is flush withstationary wall 20, and wherein the gap between stationary wall 20 andpivoting pivotable door 30 is sealed, according to embodiments of thepresent invention. The top perspective view of shower partition assembly101, as shown in FIG. 1, is as typically, with no limitation, viewedfrom the outside of the shower stall. The walls are typically, with nolimitations, individual flat sheets made of materials such as glass,plastic or similar materials.

FIG. 2 is top perspective view of shower partition assembly 101 shown inFIG. 1, as typically viewed from the inside of the shower stall. FIG. 3is top perspective view of shower partition assembly 101, as typicallyviewed from the outside of the shower stall, wherein pivotable door 30is in a first-open-state, opened typically, with no limitation,inwardly. FIG. 4 is top perspective view of shower partition assembly101, as typically viewed from the outside of the shower stall, whereinpivotable door 30 is in a second-open-state, opened typically, with nolimitation, outwardly.

Reference is also made to FIGS. 5 a and 5 b, top perspective views ofhinge mechanism 100 of shower partition assembly 101, as typicallyviewed from the outside of the shower stall, wherein pivotable door 30is in a closed-state; to FIG. 6, a top perspective view of hingemechanism of 100, as typically viewed from the outside of the showerstall, wherein pivotable door 30 is in a second-open-state; to FIG. 7, atop perspective view of the hinge mechanism 100, as typically viewedfrom the outside of the shower stall, wherein pivotable door 30 is in afirst-open-state; to FIG. 8, a perspective exploded view of hingemechanism 100, as typically viewed from the outside of the shower stall;and to FIG. 9, a perspective exploded view of hinge mechanism 100, astypically viewed from the inside of the shower stall.

Hinge mechanism 100 includes a first-section-mechanism 102 and asecond-section-mechanism 104 (see FIG. 9). First-section-mechanism 102includes a shaft-hosting member 110, and second-section-mechanism 104includes a pivoting-enabling-member 130, wherein shaft-hosting member110 and pivoting-enabling-member 130 are pivotally connected by a shaft150, typically being a two-sided shaft. Thereby, when pivotable door 30is pivotally pushed or pulled, pivoting-enabling-member 130 pivots aboutshaft 150.

In some embodiments first-section-mechanism 102 is securely attached thestationary wall 20 and second-section-mechanism 104 is securely attachedto the pivotable door 30. The following described attachment mechanismsare given by way of example only and other attachment mechanisms knownin the art may be used within the scope of the present invention. Itshould be noted that in other embodiments of the present invention,first-section-mechanism 102 is securely attached to the pivotable door30 and second-section-mechanism 104 is securely attached the stationarywall 20.

Boreholes 22 are formed in preconfigured locations of stationary wall20, proximal to vertical edge 28 of stationary wall 20. Hinge mechanism100 further includes a wall clamping member 120, having boreholes 122formed in preconfigured locations of clamping member 120, spaced apartto respectively overlap with boreholes 22 of stationary wall 20.Boreholes 112 are also formed in preconfigured locations ofshaft-hosting member 110, spaced apart to also respectively overlap withboreholes 22 of stationary wall 20.

In one embodiment of the present invention, the wall attaching mechanismare screws (170, 180) having threads that match threads that are formedinside boreholes 112 of shaft-hosting member 110. When assembling,shaft-hosting member 110 is securely placed on one side of wall 20(typically, with no limitation, adjacent to the external surface of wall20, with respect to the location of the shower stall), such thatboreholes 112 of shaft-hosting member 110 overlap with boreholes 22 ofstationary wall 20. Symmetrically, clamping member 120 is placed on theother of wall 20 (typically, with no limitation, adjacent to theinternal surface of wall 20, with respect to the location of the showerstall), such that boreholes 122 of clamping member 120 overlap withboreholes 22 of stationary wall 20. Then, screws 170 are inserted intorespective boreholes 122 and boreholes 22, and screwed into threadedboreholes 112 of shaft-hosting member 110 to securefirst-section-mechanism 102 onto wall 20.

Similarly, when assembling, pivoting-enabling-member 130 is placed onone side of pivotable door 30 (typically, with no limitation, adjacentto the external surface of pivotable door 30, with respect to thelocation of the shower stall), opposing the side of clamping member 120,such that boreholes 132 of pivoting-enabling-member 130 overlap withboreholes 32 of stationary pivotable door 30. Symmetrically, clampingmember 140 is placed on the other side of door 20 (typically, with nolimitation, adjacent to the internal surface of pivotable door 30, withrespect to the location of the shower stall), such that boreholes 142 ofclamping member 140 overlap with boreholes 32 of stationary pivotabledoor 30. Then, screws 180 are inserted into respective boreholes 142 andboreholes 32, and screwed into threaded boreholes 132 ofpivoting-enabling-member 130 to secure second-section-mechanism 104 ontopivotable door 30.

Shaft-hosting member 110 has a generally elongated U-shape, wherein theflat external surface 111 of the U-shape base is the surface that, whenassembled, is secured to wall 20. Arms 118 of the U-shaped body ofshaft-hosting member 110 extend away from external surface 111, whereina gap 116 (see FIGS. 8 and 9) is formed between arms 118 and wherein gap116 facilitates fittingly accommodating pivoting-enabling-member 130.Boreholes 114 are formed in arms 118 at preconfigured locations ofshaft-hosting member 110, proximal to the edge of the side ofshaft-hosting member 110 that is proximal to vertical edge 28 of wall20.

Pivoting-enabling-member 130 includes a base section 138 (see FIGS. 8and 9) and a U-shaped arm-section 139. Base-section 138 includes a flatexternal surface 131 (see FIG. 9) that, when assembled, is secured topivotable door 30. Arm-section 139 (see FIGS. 8 and 9) extends away frombase-section 138, towards and beyond vertical edge 28 of wall 20 (whenassembled), wherein the base of the U-shaped arm-section 139 is distallysituated, with respect to pivotable door 30 and wall 20, when pivotabledoor 30 is in a closed state, as shown in FIG. 5 a, having a sealer 160mounted over vertical edge 28 of wall 20. In FIG. 5 b, sealer 160 hasbeen removed for illustrative purposes only. Without a sealer 160, awall-door-gap 165 must be formed between vertical edge 28 of wall 20 andvertical edge 38 of pivotable door 30, which edges are disposedsubstantially parallel.

An embracing-arm-gap 136, formed between the arms (base section 138,base-arm 133 and embracing-arm 137) of the generally U-shape arm-section139, facilitates opening and closing of pivotable door 30 in bothdirections with respect to wall 20 (see FIGS. 6 and 7), while sealingthe substantially parallel wall-door-gap (165) between vertical edge 28of wall 20 and vertical edge 38 of pivotable door 30, in a closed state.

Boreholes 114 are formed in arms 118 at preconfigured locations ofshaft-hosting member 110, proximal to the edge of the side ofshaft-hosting member 110 that is proximal to vertical edge 28 of wall20. Preferably, bearing-cylinders 152 are inserted in each borehole 114in the respective arm 118. A hollow cylinder 134 is formed througharm-section 139, proximal to the typically round tip of embracing-arm137 of arm-section 139.

To complete the assembly of hinge mechanism 100, a fitted shaft 150 isinserted through bearing-cylinders 152 and through hollow cylinder 134,facilitating pivotal motion of second-section-mechanism 104 with respectto first-section-mechanism 102. Shaft 150 may be a one-part or two partsshaft. Shaft 150 may be secured to embracing-embracing-arm 137 ofarm-section 139 by various means. For example, by forcefully insertingshaft 150 into hollow cylinder 134, or by an securing screw (not shown)screwed through the wall of the tip of embracing-arm 137 of arm-section139, wherein the tip of the securing screw is forced into a slit 154formed generally at the center of 150. Another option is to have a shaft150 with a wider top end (top—with respect to the operative orientationof shaft 150.

To facilitate sealing wall-door-gap 165 between vertical edge 28 (seeFIGS. 3 and 4) of wall 20 and vertical edge 38 of pivotable door 30, asealer 160 is mounted over vertical edge 28 of wall 20. Typically, withno limitation, sealer 160 is removably mounted over vertical edge 28 ofwall 20. U-shape arm-section 139 facilitates opening and closing ofpivotable door 30 in both directions with respect to wall 20 (see FIGS.6 and 7), while sealer 160 remains unharmed on vertical edge 28 of wall20.

When pivotable door 30 is in a closed state, as shown in FIG. 5 a,vertical edge 38 of pivotable door 30 presses against sealer 160, tothereby seal wall-door-gap 165 formed between vertical edge 28 of wall20 and vertical edge 38 of pivotable door 30.

When pivotable door 30 is opened in a second direction 35 towards asecond-open-state (typically, with no limitation, outwardly, as shown inFIGS. 4 and 6), embracing-arm 137 of arm-section 139 pivots about shaft150 inside gap 116 of shaft-hosting member 110, wherein vertical edge 38of pivotable door 30 moves away from embracing-arm-gap 136, and bridge135 and embracing-arm 137 move away from wall-vertical edge 38 andtowards shaft-hosting member 210 that serves as a stopper for thepivoting motion.

When pivotable door 30 is opened in a first direction 37 towards afirst-open-state (typically, with no limitation, inwardly), as shown inFIGS. 3 and 7, embracing-arm 137 of arm-section 139 pivots about shaft150 away from gap 116 of shaft-hosting member 110, wherein vertical edge38 of pivotable door 30 moves away from edge 28 of wall 20 towards awall clamping member 120, and wherein vertical edge 28 of wall 20,including sealer 160, are accommodated inside embracing-arm-gap 136 ofthe U-shape arm-section 139.

It should be noted that the aforementioned shower partition assembly 101was described as including at least one innovative hinge mechanisms 100,a stationary wall 20 and a pivotable door 30, wherein stationary wall 20and pivotable door 30 are pivotally attached by the at least one hingemechanisms 100. It was further described that hinge mechanism 100includes a first-section-mechanism 102 and a second-section-mechanism104, wherein first-section-mechanism 102 is securely attached tostationary wall 20, and a second-section-mechanism 104 is securelyattached to pivotable door 30. For the sake of clarity, it should benoted that first-section-mechanism 102 may be securely attached topivotable door 30, while a second-section-mechanism 104 is securelyattached to stationary wall 20. It should be further clarify that the atleast one hinge mechanisms 100 may be securely attached to either sideof a set of stationary wall 20 and pivotable door 30.

Typically, with no limitation two or three hinge mechanisms 100 arepivotally attaching second-section-mechanism 104 tofirst-section-mechanism 102.

In variations of the present invention sealer 160 is attached tovertical edge 38 of pivotable door 30, rather than to vertical edge 28of wall 20.

In variations of the present invention second-section-mechanism 104 isattached to pivotable door 30 by other conventional attaching means, andnot by screws 180. Similarly, first-section-mechanism 102 may beattached to wall 20 by other conventional attaching means, and not byscrews 170.

Optionally, a gasket is placed between clamping member 120 andstationary wall 20; between clamping member 140 and pivotable door 30;shaft-hosting member 110 and stationary wall 20; and/or betweenpivoting-enabling-member 130 and pivotable door 30.

For the disclosure of another embodiment of the present invention,reference is now made to FIG. 10. FIG. 10 is top perspective view of ashower partition assembly 201 having innovative hinge mechanisms 200 anda pivotable door 30 pivotally attached to an ordinary bathroom wall 40.The ordinary bathroom wall 40 may be any type of wall, including a glasswall, wherein in the closed state the panel of pivotable door 30 issubstantially perpendicular to ordinary wall 40, and wherein pivotabledoor 30 may pivot in both directions with respect to bathroom wall 40,wherein the gap between bathroom wall 40 and pivoting pivotable door 30is sealed with a sealer 260, according to embodiments of the presentinvention, and wherein pivotable door 30 is pivoted to a first side.FIG. 11 is top perspective view of shower partition assembly 201,wherein pivotable door 30 is pivoted to a second side.

Pivotable door 30 is typically, with no limitations, a flat sheet madeof materials such as glass, plastic or similar materials.

FIG. 12 is top perspective view of shower partition assembly 201, asviewed from a first side, wherein pivotable door 30 is in a generallyperpendicular to bathroom wall 40. FIG. 13 is top perspective view ofshower partition assembly 201 shown in FIG. 12, but viewed from a secondside.

Reference is also made to FIGS. 14 a and 14 b, top perspective views ofhinge mechanism 200 of shower partition assembly 201, wherein in FIG. 14a sealer 260 seals the gap is formed between pivotable door 30 andbathroom wall 40, and in FIG. 14 b sealer 260 has been removed forillustrative purposes only; to FIG. 15 a, a top perspective view ofhinge mechanism of 200 of shower partition assembly 201, as viewed froma first side; to FIG. 15 b, a top perspective view of hinge mechanism of200 of shower partition assembly 201, as viewed from a second side; toFIG. 16, a perspective exploded view of hinge mechanism 200 of showerpartition assembly 201, as shown in FIG. 15 a; and to FIG. 17, aperspective exploded view of hinge mechanism 200 of shower partitionassembly 201, as shown in FIG. 15 b.

Hinge mechanism 200 includes a second-section-mechanism 202 and afirst-section-mechanism 204 (see FIGS. 16 and 17).Second-section-mechanism 202 includes a shaft-hosting member 210, andfirst-section-mechanism 204 includes a pivoting-enabling-member 230,wherein shaft-hosting member 210 and pivoting-enabling-member 230 arepivotally connected by a shaft 250, typically being a two-sided shaft.Thereby, when pivotable door 30 is pivoted, pivoting-enabling-member 230pivots about shaft 250.

Boreholes 22 are formed in preconfigured locations of pivotable door 30,proximal to vertical edge 38 of pivotable door 30. Hinge mechanism 200further includes a door clamping member 220, for securingsecond-section-mechanism 202 onto pivotable door 30. In one embodiment,clamping member 220 includes boreholes 222 formed in preconfiguredlocations of clamping member 220, spaced apart to respectively overlapwith boreholes 32 of pivotable door 30. Boreholes 212 are also formed inpreconfigured locations of shaft-hosting member 210, spaced apart alsoto respectively overlap with boreholes 32 of pivotable door 30.

In one embodiment of the present invention, the door attaching mechanismare screws 270 having threads that match threads that are formed insideboreholes 212 of shaft-hosting member 210. When assemblingsecond-section-mechanism 202, shaft-hosting member 210 is securelyplaced on one side of pivotable door 30, such that boreholes 212 ofshaft-hosting member 210 overlap with boreholes 32 of pivotable door 30.Symmetrically, clamping member 220 is placed on the other of pivotabledoor 30, such that boreholes 222 of clamping member 220 overlap withboreholes 32 of pivotable door 30. Then, screws 270 are inserted intorespective boreholes 222 and boreholes 32, and screwed into threadedboreholes 212 of shaft-hosting member 210 to securesecond-section-mechanism 202 onto pivotable door 30.

When assembling first-section-mechanism 204, pivoting-enabling-member230 is securely attached to bathroom wall 40 at a preconfiguredlocation, using for example boreholes 232.

Shaft-hosting member 210 has a generally elongated U-shape, wherein theflat external surface 211 of the U-shape base is the surface that, whenassembled, is secured to pivotable door 30. Arms 218 of the U-shapedbody of shaft-hosting member 210 extend away from external surface 211,wherein a gap 216 (see FIGS. 16 and 17) is formed between arms 218 andwherein gap 216 facilitates fittingly accommodatingpivoting-enabling-member 230. Boreholes 214 are formed in arms 218 atpreconfigured locations of shaft-hosting member 210, proximal to theedge of the side of shaft-hosting member 210 that is proximal tovertical edge 38 of pivotable door 30.

Pivoting-enabling-member 230 includes a base section 238 (see FIGS. 16and 17) and a wall-arm-section 233. Base-section 238 includes a flatexternal surface 231 (see FIG. 17) that, when assembled, is adjacentlysecured to bathroom wall 40. Wall-arm-section 233 includes anembracing-arm 237 and a bridge 235. Bridge 235 extends generallyperpendicular and away from base-section 238, towards and beyondvertical edge 38 of pivotable door 30 (when assembled). Embracing-arm237 extends away from base-section 238, embracing pivotable door 30proximal to vertical edge 38 of pivotable door 30 (when assembled), andsubstantially parallel to flat external surface 231 of base-section 238.

An embracing-arm-gap 236 is formed between embracing-arm 237 andbase-section 238, facilitates opening and closing of pivotable door 30in both directions with respect to ordinary wall 40 (see FIGS. 10 and11), while sealing the substantially parallel wall-door-gap (265)between ordinary wall 40 and vertical edge 38 of pivotable door 30, asshown in FIG. 5 a, with sealer 260 mounted over vertical edge 38 ofpivotable door 30. Parallel wall-door-gap 265, formed between ordinarywall 40 and vertical edge 38 of pivotable door 30 varies in size aspivotable door 30, wherein sealed 260 is designed to seal theminimally-sized wall-door-gap 265 formed between a virtual vertical linethat is most proximal to door-vertical edge 38, when pivotable door 30is perpendicular to ordinary wall 40, pivotable door 30 being in aclosed state. In FIG. 5 b, sealer 260 has been removed for illustrativepurposes only. Without a sealer 260, a wall-door-gap 265 must be formedbetween the surface of ordinary wall 40 and vertical edge 38 ofpivotable door 30, which edges are disposed substantially parallel.

Boreholes 214 are formed in arms 218 at preconfigured locations ofshaft-hosting member 210, proximal to the edge of the side ofshaft-hosting member 210 that is proximal to vertical edge 38 ofpivotable door 30. Preferably, bearing-cylinders 252 are inserted ineach borehole 214 in the respective arm 218. A hollow cylinder 234 isformed through embracing-arm 237, proximal to the typically round tip ofembracing-arm 237.

To complete the assembly of hinge mechanism 200, a fitted shaft 250 isinserted through bearing-cylinders 252 and through hollow cylinder 234,facilitating pivotal motion of second-section-mechanism 202 with respectto first-section-mechanism 204. Shaft 250 may be a one-part or two partsshaft. Shaft 250 may be secured to embracing-arm 237 of bridge 239 byvarious means. For example, by forcefully inserting shaft 250 intohollow cylinder 234, or by an securing screw (not shown) screwed throughthe wall of the tip of embracing-arm 237, wherein the tip of thesecuring screw is forced into a slit 254 formed generally at the centerof 250. Another option is to have a shaft 250 with a wider top end(top—with respect to the operative orientation of shaft 250.

To facilitate sealing wall-door-gap 265 between ordinary wall 40 andvertical edge 38 of pivotable door 30, a sealer 260 is mounted oververtical edge 38 of pivotable door 30. Pivoting-enabling-member 230facilitates opening and closing of pivotable door 30 in both directionswith respect to ordinary wall 40 (see FIGS. 10 and 11), while sealer 260remains unharmed on vertical edge 38 of pivotable door 30.

When pivotable door 30 is in a closed state, as shown in FIGS. 12, 13and 5 a, the surface of bathroom ordinary wall 40 presses against sealer260, to thereby seal wall-door-gap 265 formed between ordinary wall 40and vertical edge 38 of pivotable door 30.

When pivotable door 30 is opened in a first direction 37 towards afirst-open-state, as shown in FIG. 10, embracing-arm 237 pivots aboutshaft 250 away from gap 216 of shaft-hosting member 210, whereinvertical edge 38 of pivotable door 30, carrying sealer 260, moves awayfrom ordinary wall 40 into embracing-arm-gap 236, whereinpivoting-enabling-member 230 accommodates vertical edge 38 of pivotabledoor 30 inside embracing-arm-gap 236, including sealer 260.

When pivotable door 30 is opened in direction 35 towards asecond-open-state, as shown in FIG. 11, embracing-arm 237 pivots aboutshaft 250 inside gap 216 of shaft-hosting member 210, wherein verticaledge 38 of pivotable door 30 moves away from embracing-arm-gap 236, andbridge 235 and embracing-arm 237 move away from wall-vertical edge 38and towards shaft-hosting member 210 that serves as a stopper for thepivoting motion.

Typically, with no limitation one, two or three hinge mechanisms 200 arepivotally attaching first-section-mechanism 204 tosecond-section-mechanism 202.

In variations of the present invention second-section-mechanism 202 maybe attached to wall 20 by other conventional attaching means, and not byscrews 270.

Optionally, a gasket is placed between clamping member 220 and pivotabledoor 30 and/or between shaft-hosting member 210 and ordinary wall 40.

The invention being thus described in terms of embodiments and examples,it will be obvious that the same may be varied in many ways. Suchvariations are not to be regarded as a departure from the spirit andscope of the invention, and all such modifications as would be obviousto one skilled in the art are intended to be included within the scopeof the claims.

What is claimed is:
 1. A shower partition assembly, having at least onestationary wall and at least one pivotable door, wherein the stationarywall and the pivotable door are pivotally interconnected by at least onehinge mechanism, said at least one hinge mechanism comprising: a) afirst-section-mechanism comprising a shaft-hosting member, securelyattached to the at least one stationary wall coupled with the pivotabledoor; and b) a second-section-mechanism comprising apivoting-enabling-member, said pivoting-enabling-member comprising: i. abase section, securely attached to the at least one pivotable door; andii. a U-shaped arm-section, including: A. a base-arm; B. anembracing-arm; and C. a bridge interconnecting said base-arm and saidembracing-arm, wherein an embracing-arm-gap is formed between saidbase-arm and said embracing-arm, wherein said shaft-hosting member andsaid pivoting-enabling-member are pivotally connected by a shaft,disposed proximal to the open end of said embracing-arm, to therebyfacilitate pivotal motion of the at least one pivotable door about saidshaft, with respect to the at least one stationary wall, when the atleast one pivotable door is pushed or pulled; wherein when said at leastone hinge mechanisms is in a closed-state, a wall-vertical edge of theat least one stationary wall is disposed substantially parallel to adoor-vertical edge of the at least one pivotable door, forming asubstantially parallel wall-door-gap, having a preconfigured width;wherein when said at least one pivotable door is opened in a firstdirection towards a first-open-state, said embracing-arm pivots aboutsaid shaft, and said bridge and said embracing-arm move towards saidwall-vertical edge, until said wall-vertical edge is accommodated insidesaid embracing-arm-gap; wherein when the at least one pivotable door isopened in the second direction towards a second-open-state, saidembracing-arm pivots about said shaft and said bridge and saidembracing-arm move away from said wall-vertical edge and towards saidshaft-hosting member that serves as a stopper for said pivoting motion;and wherein said embracing-arm-gap facilitates the opening and closingof the at least one pivotable door in both directions, with respect tothe at least one coupled stationary wall.
 2. The shower partitionassembly of claim 1 further comprises a sealer.
 3. The shower partitionassembly of claim 2, wherein said sealer is mounted over the open saidwall-vertical edge of the at least one stationary wall, and wherein saidsealer is preconfigured to seal said wall-door-gap when said at leastone hinge mechanisms is in a closed-state.
 4. The shower partitionassembly of claim 2, wherein said sealer is mounted over the open saiddoor-vertical edge of the at least one pivotable door, and wherein saidsealer is preconfigured to seal said wall-door-gap when said at leastone hinge mechanisms is in a closed-state.
 5. The shower partitionassembly of claim 2, wherein when said at least one pivotable door isopened in sais first direction towards said first-open-state, saidembracing-arm pivots about said shaft and said bridge moves towards saidwall-vertical edge, until said wall-vertical edge and said sealermounted thereon, are accommodated inside said embracing-arm-gap.
 6. Theshower partition assembly of claim 2, wherein said sealer is made ofelastic materials, and wherein the portion of said sealer, extendingaway from the wall-vertical edge, is larger than the width of saidwall-door-gap, by a preconfigured amount.
 7. A shower partitionassembly, having at least one stationary wall and at least one pivotabledoor, wherein the stationary wall and the pivotable door are pivotallyinterconnected by at least one hinge mechanism, said at least one hingemechanism comprising: a) a first-section-mechanism comprising ashaft-hosting member, securely attached to the at least one pivotabledoor; and b) a second-section-mechanism comprising apivoting-enabling-member, said pivoting-enabling-member comprising: i. abase section, securely attached to a coupled at least one stationarywall; and ii. a U-shaped arm-section, including: A. a base-arm; B. anembracing-arm; and C. a bridge interconnecting said base-arm and saidembracing-arm, wherein an embracing-arm-gap is formed between saidbase-arm and said embracing-arm, wherein said shaft-hosting member andsaid pivoting-enabling-member are pivotally connected by a shaft,disposed proximal to the open end of said embracing-arm, to therebyfacilitate pivotal motion of the at least one pivotable door about saidshaft, with respect to the at least one stationary wall, when the atleast one pivotable door is pushed or pulled; wherein when said at leastone hinge mechanisms is in a closed-state, a wall-vertical edge of theat least one stationary wall is disposed substantially parallel to adoor-vertical edge of the at least one pivotable door, forming asubstantially parallel wall-door-gap, having a preconfigured width;wherein when said at least one pivotable door is opened in a firstdirection towards a first-open-state, said embracing-arm pivots aboutsaid shaft and said bridge moves towards said wall-vertical edge, untilsaid wall-vertical edge is accommodated inside said embracing-arm-gap;wherein when said the at least one pivotable door is opened in thesecond direction towards a second-open-state, said embracing-arm pivotsabout said shaft and said bridge and said embracing-arm move away fromsaid wall-vertical edge and towards said shaft-hosting member thatserves as a stopper for said pivoting motion; and wherein saidembracing-arm-gap facilitates the opening and closing of the at leastone pivotable door in both directions with respect to the at least onestationary wall.
 8. The shower partition assembly of claim 7 furthercomprises a sealer.
 9. The shower partition assembly of claim 8, whereinsaid sealer is mounted over the open said wall-vertical edge of the atleast one stationary wall, and wherein said sealer is preconfigured toseal said wall-door-gap when said at least one hinge mechanisms is in aclosed-state.
 10. The shower partition assembly of claim 8, wherein saidsealer is mounted over the open said door-vertical edge of the at leastone pivotable door, and wherein said sealer is preconfigured to sealsaid wall-door-gap when said at least one hinge mechanisms is in aclosed-state.
 11. The shower partition assembly of claim 10, whereinsaid least one stationary wall is an ordinary wall and wherein saidwall-vertical edge is a virtual vertical line that is most proximal tothe door-vertical edge, and wherein in said closed state said pivotabledoor is substantially perpendicular to the ordinary wall.